The Yankees chased the Rays for most of the season.
On Tuesday, that chase finally came to an end, as Tampa Bay clinched the AL East with a 6-1 win over the Yankees in Tuesday’s nightcap in The Bronx.
“Everybody asks the same question,” Junior Caminero said just outside the celebratory visiting clubhouse at the Stadium. “Nobody cared if it was at Yankee Stadium or not. What matters is just winning. We won today and we’ve got to continue.”
With the victory, the Rays clinched a spot in the ALDS, where they could face the Yankees, who are officially headed to the wild-card series after their longshot chances of overcoming the Rays fell short.
But both sides know they could meet again if the Yankees advance past the first round of the playoffs.
“This four-game series was circled on both schedules for quite some time,’’ Tampa Bay manager Kevin Cash said. “That’s because of the respect you have [for them]. It’s a very talented team that we know we could be seeing in 10-12 days.’’
It’s another astonishing finish for the small-market Rays, who are trying to build a new home in Tampa and in the meantime, continue to put up among the smallest payrolls in the sport.
Though the Rays missed the postseason the last two years, they reached the playoffs each of the previous five seasons.
Heading into this season, expectations outside of Tampa Bay were not great for the Rays in a loaded division.
“I don’t know if we took it personally,’’ Cash said of the preseason predictions that had his team in last place. “We do a good job of keeping our head down and doing what we believe.”
Aaron Boone was not among those who underestimated the Rays.
“I always respect the Rays and what they’re capable of doing,’’ Boone said before Tuesday’s doubleheader split.
“It’s a different makeup than they’ve had in years past,’’ Boone said. “They’ve taken advantage of their athleticism. … They’ve had a great year and are always a challenge to play.”
And one the Yankees hope to meet again in October.
Cash, freshly soaked in champagne, knows his team has gone 7-4 against the Yankees with two games to go in this series and may go up against them soon in the postseason.
He noted the key to beating the Yankees was “keeping them in the ballpark.”
That’s an easier task if Aaron Judge isn’t around and there’s no guarantee he will be back for the ALDS, even if the Yankees get that far.
But for now, the Rays are set as the top team in the American League with everyone — including the Yankees — looking up at them.
